Sound Transit will join with its local, county and federal partners on Thursday October 24th to celebrate the grand reopening of the Bellevue Transit Center (BTC). U.S. Senator Patty Murray will keynote the event marking the renovation of the Eastside's most important transit hub. Other speakers include U.S. Representative Jennifer Dunn (R-8th District), Sound Transit Board Chair Ron Sims and Bellevue Mayor Connie Marshall. As part of the dedication ceremony a time capsule will be placed into the foundation of the Bellevue Transit Center to be opened in the year 2102.

Following the dedication, Senator Murray, Sound Transit Board Chair Ron Sims and other officials will be available for questions from the media. Executive Director Joni Earl will present Sound Transit's Third Quarter Report to the full Sound Transit Board at its (1 p.m.) regular meeting following the BTC dedication. The Third Quarter Report will be discussed at the post-dedication media availability.

BACKGROUND

BTC: Transit island expanded from six to 10 bus bays. Additional bus stops provided on 108th Avenue NE and 106th Avenue NE. Sound Transit and Metro Transit are now able to efficiently move more than 100 buses per hour through the center. More than 7,000 people board or depart from buses at the center each day. Total budget for the Project: $21.7M. Total for first two phases: $16.8M. Final phase will include a rider services building with a Bellevue Police outpost, a bike station, public restrooms and rider information.

Third Quarter Report:

At the beginning of 2002 Board Chair Ron Sims laid out a series of 20 milestones for the year, calling the list a yardstick against which the Board - and the public - could measure the agency's progress. Following the BTC dedication, Executive Director Joni Earl will deliver to the Board this key report outlining the agency's progress through the first three quarters of 2002.